General Studies – 1

The question is based on the denudational processes of weathering and mass wasting.

Key demands of the question:

The answer must first elaborate on the concept in detail and write their geomorphic importance.

Directive word

Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.

Question is about the concepts of tidal currents and tidal bores and how they are different from each other. One is expected to throw some light upon the importance and utility of tidal bores.

Demand of the question:

This question seeks to examine the concept of Tidal bores, how they differ from regular tidal currents, and their specific uses.

Directive word:

Discuss– This is an all-encompassing directive which mandates us to write in detail about the key demand of the question. we also have to discuss about the related and important aspects of the question in order to bring out a complete picture of the issue in hand.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction

Start with what are tidal currents and their significance in the oceanic ecosystem.

Body

Discuss the following points in detail:

What are tidal bores – body of water that, during exceptionally high sea tides, rushes up some rivers and estuaries near a coast where there is a large tidal range and the incoming tide is confined to a narrow channel.

What causes tidal bores? – natural phenomenon in which an incoming tide creates a wave of water that travels up along a river or a narrow bay causing water to flow against the river’s current.

Where are tidal bores most common? – their range

How are they different from Tidal currents?

Explain the importance of tidal currents.

Conclusion

Conclude with their importance in oceanic ecosystem.

General Studies – 2

Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation .

Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.

The article highlights the issues revolving around the increased political debates of recently announced agenda of a possible Common Minimum Programme of the Opposition parties for the 2019 general election. The question is thus to examine the significance and issues involved in this context.

Key demand of the question:

The answer must discuss in detail the scenario of urban employment – unemployment in Urban India. Causes and consequences and why and how it has turned into a political tool for parties.

Directive word:

Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.

Structure of the answer

Introduction:

write a few introductory lines about the current ongoing debates of political parties, brief the context.

Body:

Answers must discuss the following aspects :

Discuss the present scenario of urban employment, quote some facts here to justify the findings using reports such as – Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) report of the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO).

idea of an urban employment programme – pros and cons.

Why we need ways to promote the sustainable development of India’s small and medium towns.

The question is about evaluation of the recent government’s National Mineral Policy 2019. The effects of policy on social and environmental aspects.

Key demand of the question:

The answer must discuss at length the key features of the policy, its certain effects upon social and environmental aspects. One is expected to critically analyse these two aspects in detail and give a firm opinion along with suggestions as to what needs to be done.

Directive word:

Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.

Critically Analyse – When asked to ‘analyse’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgement.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Narrate a brief background of the context of the question – salient features of the policy.

Body:

In brief discuss –

Key features of National Mineral Policy (NMP) – increase the production of major minerals by 200 per cent in 7 years, massive increase of domestic mineral production and reducing trade deficits in the mineral sector in the next 7 years, business-friendly policy etc.

What do you understand by responsible mining – discuss the social and environment factor.

Issues associated with mining – issues of unscientific mining, poor track records of environmental and social performance, and high instances of illegal activities. The regulatory environment, and capacity and accountability of our authorities.

Impact on social aspect – displacement of tribal pockets, Community concerns, Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement etc.

The article provides a detailed analysis on the effect of climate change on Human health. During the Second Global Conference on Health & Climate, participants warned that without adequate mitigation and adaptation, climate change poses risks to public health.

Key demand of the question:

The question expects us to first discuss the alarming climate change scenario and its impact on human health, the discussion should center around the importance of mitigation necessary to overcome the issue.

Directive word:

Comment– here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin with brief introductory lines on importance of interrelationship between public health and climate change.

Body:

State facts from various report and re-assert the statement in question about alarming issue of climate change and its impact on human health.

Take cues from the article and quote reports.

Then move on to discuss the effectiveness of the global fight against climate change amidst increasing effect on public health.

Discuss the effect and what needs to be done to mitigate the challenge the world is facing in the health paradigm.

Conclusion:

Conclude with importance of immediate attention to mitigate the threats of mounting climate change.

General Studies – 3

Topic : Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.

Following its hasty shift in monetary policy stance, RBI is in a tight spot currently. It is now looking for a respectable way out, thus the question in this context expects us to evaluate the role of RBI in such a scenario.

Key demand of the question:

Provide for detailed analysis of the current fix RBI is in, discuss in detail the situation of rising inflation vis-à-vis role of RBI and suggest what needs to be done.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Brief upon the recent trends in the RBI policy , highlight the shifts..

Body:

Discuss the following aspects :

Explain in short the causes and consequences of inflation recently in the country.

Discuss the policies adopted by the RBI off late – the unusual move of change in its monetary stance from accommodative to neutral.

Take hints from the article and suggest what should be the ideal role of RBI in such a scenario.

Conclusion:

Conclude with optimism and suggest how the issue is not beyond RBI’s control and can be resolved with suitable steps in the right direction.

General Studies – 4

Topic: Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.

The question is in the context of codes of conduct and quality of service delivery and their significance in governance.

Key demand of the question:

The answer must discuss in detail the aspects of codes of conduct and quality of service, their essence and how they are centric to the core of Governance.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Briefly discuss what you understand by code of ethics and quality of service delivery.

Body:

Explain the following –

What is code of conduct ? – it is an internal guideline and an external statement of corporate values and commitments.

Quality of service – comparison of expectations with performance. A customer’s expectation of a particular service is determined by factors such as personal needs and past experiences. The expected service and the perceived service sometimes may not be equal, thus leaving a gap.

Discuss their importance in Governance in detail.

Conclusion:

Conclude with importance of these values in public services and Governance in general.

NOTE:

We are giving hints for each question. Please use your creativity and originality to come up with answers that are unique to you. But do so without deviating from core demand of each question. Ultimately you should use your reason and judgement to write your own answer.